Lawmakers introduce bipartisan legislation to help farmers, support local farm economy

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and other Democratic and Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation that backers claim will reduce applicant barriers for some local food programs, increase investments in critical infrastructure and deliver other benefits.

Called the Local Farms and Food Act, the legislation is supported by the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association.

“OEFFA has been meeting with members and partners throughout the state of Ohio since last fall to talk about what is needed to continue the progress on local and regional food system development in the upcoming farm bill,” association Policy Director Amalie Lipstreu said in a news release. “After hearing from Senator Brown’s office and seeing the Local Farms and Food Act, it is clear they are attuned to what is needed to continue to grow more resilient and healthful food systems.” 

At the center of the proposed legislation are “turnkey grants,” which simplify the process of awarding up to $100,000 for projects through the Farmers Market Promotion Program and the Local Food Promotion Program, according to the release.

An increase in funding — from $50 million to $75 million per year — is proposed to cover Farmers Market Promotion Program projects like outreach and promotion, market manager staff time, vendor training, design projects, and data collection and evaluation. Under the Local Food Promotion Program, turnkey grant options include food hub feasibility studies, value chain coordinator staff time, technical assistance, data collection and evaluation, and general-purpose equipment, the release said.

Proposed changes to the Local Agriculture Market Program also include a reduced matching fund requirement — from 50% to 25% for applications with an adjusted gross income of $250,000 or less. This, along with the increase in funding and prioritization of geographically diverse awardees, will improve equity and access to the suite of LAMP subprograms, according to the release.

The act would reauthorize the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program and reduce the matching fund requirement of the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), the release said.

The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association supports the legislation’s adoption in the 2023 farm bill, the release said.